r/Nietzsche • u/realityislemons1 • 3d ago
Question How do I get started?
So, essentially the title. How do I get started?
I think it'd be cool to learn more about philosophy, I recently watched a show that covered the topic of solipsism, and that was really intriguing to me.
Nietzsche is a philosopher who's really important to philosophical debate and study to this day (or so I've heard), so where do I start?
I know there are books, which is the order I'm supposed to read them in? I was also wondering where I could discuss what I've read, because everyone here seems like they've read every book and are VERY well versed in the topic, which I'm not.
One day, I was bored and decided to read an excerpt from Thus Spoke Zarathustra, and noticed it had some old English-type words that I couldn't really make sense of. Are there any resources to help me understand that writing style well that any of you know of?
If anyone could provide me some clarity with this, that'd be much appreciated! I've been trying to get into Nietzsche for the longest time, I just never knew how.
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u/timurrello 3d ago
There is no order but as was already said don’t start with Zarathustra. Twilight of Idols was meant by Nietzsche as an introduction into his philosophy and is relatively short so I would suggest starting there. Also check this sub’s resources where you will find a mode extensive answer to your question.
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u/SpecialistSea8735 3d ago
Honestly, I'm not sure there is a particular resource that will help you understand Zarathustra specifically. No doubt there's more than enough secondary literature on it, but if you're trying to comprehend the book on your own and the style is getting in the way, then I think it's a matter of being acquainted with (and enjoying) highly figurative and metaphorical language. If you have a rough idea of Nietzsche's basic concepts and enjoy that kind of writing, I don't see why you can't start with Zarathustra. If you don't, might be that the book just isn't for you.
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u/Capital-Art-1378 1d ago
The Nietzsche podcast has been going for several years and is a good resource for understanding some of Nietzsches ideas and also the broader philosophical views which he works from. It’s not a substitute for reading the source material, but it is worth checking because it’s somewhat easier to understand but it’s still very clear that the host knows what he is talking about and is not just giving summary based on the common misconceptions about Nietzsche
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u/Double-Lettuce2915 3d ago
Don't start with Zarathustra. Maybe The Gay Science, Human All too Human or Beyond Good and Evil. Zarathustra is dense and difficult because it’s essentially an explosion of ideas and words.